{"id":13883,"date":"2013-08-08T01:00:22","date_gmt":"2013-08-08T06:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=13883"},"modified":"2013-08-07T23:25:08","modified_gmt":"2013-08-08T04:25:08","slug":"i-am-chapter-5-day-4-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/08\/08\/i-am-chapter-5-day-4-i\/","title":{"rendered":"“I AM” Chapter 5 – Day 4: Fit For Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GFCHmemverse3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I was a gymnast growing up. The beam was the footboard of Mom and Dad\u2019s king-size bed and my routine always ended with an awesome dismount.\u00a0 My floor routine was performed in the front yard.\u00a0 I was Nadia Comaneci—Olympic gold medalist.\u00a0 Oh, I practiced alright but I didn\u2019t have the perseverance and determination to really<\/em> be a champion. I realized that they developed their abilities through rigorous training, which is what sets the athletes apart from the spectators. \u00a0I was a spectator.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same with spiritual strength and agility.\u00a0 They come only through practice, and daily discipline, and reading, and studying His Word. \u00a0And just like the athlete, we can motivate ourselves to continue in disciplined routines by looking forward to our reward, in both this life and the next!\u00a0 Results<\/span> might not happen overnight but as we keep practicing these disciplines each day, we will reap the benefits which will include a closeness with our Lord Jesus, joy, peace<\/span> that passes all understanding, loving relationships,\u00a0AND an abundant life.\u00a0 There may be times of disappointment; and you may grow weary and want to throw in the towel. We will win some battles and lose some while we strive to achieve wholeness.\u00a0 We may get discouraged when we don\u2019t see any progress even though we have been working and training hard. \u00a0But if we keep on and persevere through it all…we can maintain the ground we have gained!<\/p>\n

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Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value but spiritual exercise is much more important. For it promises a reward in both this life and the next.<\/p>\n

1 Timothy 4:7 and 8<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Friends, we are training for a marathon called ‘Your Life.’ \u00a0You only get one shot at<\/span> this\u00a0race though.\u00a0 What are you doing to make sure you finish strong?\u00a0 Are you a willing participant or a spectator?<\/p>\n

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Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. And as Christ\u2019s soldiers, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One Who has enlisted you in His army. Follow the Lord\u2019s rules for doing His work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or in disqualified<\/span> and wins no prize.<\/p>\n

2 Timothy 2:3-7\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Like a soldier, we are in a war that we can win only if we fight to the end.\u00a0 Like the gymnast, we must train for a new way of life and \u00a0keep running the race to the finish line.\u00a0 We must do this work in every season and wait patiently until we see growth.\u00a0 If we stop before we reach the end, we may lose it all—everything we have trained so hard for.<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t you realize that in a race everyone runs but only one person gets the prize? So run to win. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise I fear that after teaching others, I myself might be disqualified.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 9:24-27<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

All activities require endurance and strict discipline, especially for those who want to win. Paul makes it clear that if we want to grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must stay focused on the goal.\u00a0 We must give up destructive activities that might slow us down. Recognize this won\u2019t always be easy, but it will always be worth it!\u00a0 Persevere toward the eternal goal and your trophy will come in the form of God\u2019s power and freedom from any chains that may bind.<\/p>\n

I challenge you today to re-read these verses…put them on notecards<\/span>…place them where they will be seen daily. \u00a0Remind yourself that no matter what you\u2019re facing , it will all be worth it when you cross that finish line,\u00a0see His arms wide open and He says the words you\u2019ve longed to hear—“Well done, My child; welcome home!”<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n